Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 16 May 2012
16 May 2012 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
National Parenting Strategy
The Scottish Government’s aspiration is for Scotland to be the best place for children and young people to grow up in. We want all our children to have the best start in life so that they can develop into healthy, happy, confident and successful individuals who are ready and equipped for the challenges of adult life. That aspiration is shared across the chamber.
I am delighted to talk about the Government’s national parenting strategy, which aims to set out a cohesive and compelling narrative about the value and importance of parenting and how it contributes to improving outcomes for children and young people. I also look forward to hearing constructive thoughts and views from representatives across the chamber, which will enable the debate to contribute to the strategy.
Parents and carers are the greatest influences on their bairns’ lives, so we must ensure that they get the support that they need when they need it. I want a parental culture in Scotland in which it is completely normal and never a failure for parents to ask for help or advice to enable them to grow in their role. I want parents to feel empowered, valued, supported and confident in their ability to care for their children. A national parenting strategy will bring the necessary leadership, co-ordination and momentum to this crucial issue and will ensure that, across the public sector and wider Scottish society, we focus on ways in which we can all work together to support parents and carers to do their important job well.
Many of us know that being a parent is both the most rewarding and most challenging role that we ever take on. The strategy will be aimed at all parents, because parents in all circumstances can find parenting difficult. We must ensure that more targeted intensive support is available for families who need it most. The strategy will be relevant not only to mums and dads, but to anyone who is involved in bringing up children—not least grandparents, who play a hugely important role in childcare and provide additional practical and emotional support to their wider families. It is crucial that the parenting strategy recognises and supports the roles that grandparents and other family members play in bringing up children.
The strategy will also include the vital role of kinship carers, adoptive and foster parents—whom it is particularly important to mention during fostering fortnight—and corporate parents, including all of us in the chamber, who have a duty of care and responsibility for our looked-after children. Whenever I refer to parents, I refer to all kinds of parents.
The early years framework that was published in 2008 highlighted the strong influence that parents have on their babies and very young children. The work of the chief medical officer, Sir Harry Burns, has taught us about attachment behaviour, the importance of consistent parenting to help children right from birth to make sense of the world, and the impact that environmental and biological influences have on the development of babies during pregnancy. However, parents often struggle with older children and teenagers—in fact, around a third of all calls to parentline Scotland are from parents of teenagers. For that reason, the parenting strategy will cover the widest possible age group, from pre-conception to adulthood. It will also consider how we can prepare our children and young people to be confident parents of the future.
The strategy must make a practical difference to parents, so it is important that it will have the views of parents at its heart. Over the past few months, we have gathered the views of more than 1,500 parents from throughout Scotland. I say a huge thank you to the many organisations that hosted discussion groups on our behalf. I also record my heartfelt thanks to the parents who took the time to tell us about their experiences. I have had the privilege of meeting some inspirational characters and brave families who have told me—through tears, smiles and laughter—what they believe we need to do. Their views will help to shape our approach.
We asked what would make a real practical difference to them as, for example, disabled parents, teenage parents, grandparents or parents who are affected by imprisonment, substance misuse, alcohol or domestic abuse. We also asked what the best things are about being a parent, because the strategy will also aim to celebrate parenting and to demonstrate the positive value that we must place on parents and carers for the role that they play in improving outcomes for children and young people.
I am delighted that our approach has won praise from Children 1st’s chief executive Anne Houston, who said:
“Children 1st welcomed the Scottish Government’s commitment to develop a national parenting strategy for all parents and carers. We welcome the Scottish Government’s approach to seeking views from such a wide range of people with a parenting role, many of whose voices are not normally heard.”
We will publish a report of parents’ views in June. I have met some of the groups of parents and seen some of the early feedback, so I know that it will be a thought-provoking report.
When we talk about parents, many of us tend to think about mums, so I want to talk about fathers. I am pleased to see a number of dads in the chamber and will be interested to hear what they say during the debate. In our consultations, we have had a lot of feedback from dads, who often tell us that they want to be more involved in their children’s lives but are sometimes made to feel unwelcome or excluded.
I am delighted to talk about the Government’s national parenting strategy, which aims to set out a cohesive and compelling narrative about the value and importance of parenting and how it contributes to improving outcomes for children and young people. I also look forward to hearing constructive thoughts and views from representatives across the chamber, which will enable the debate to contribute to the strategy.
Parents and carers are the greatest influences on their bairns’ lives, so we must ensure that they get the support that they need when they need it. I want a parental culture in Scotland in which it is completely normal and never a failure for parents to ask for help or advice to enable them to grow in their role. I want parents to feel empowered, valued, supported and confident in their ability to care for their children. A national parenting strategy will bring the necessary leadership, co-ordination and momentum to this crucial issue and will ensure that, across the public sector and wider Scottish society, we focus on ways in which we can all work together to support parents and carers to do their important job well.
Many of us know that being a parent is both the most rewarding and most challenging role that we ever take on. The strategy will be aimed at all parents, because parents in all circumstances can find parenting difficult. We must ensure that more targeted intensive support is available for families who need it most. The strategy will be relevant not only to mums and dads, but to anyone who is involved in bringing up children—not least grandparents, who play a hugely important role in childcare and provide additional practical and emotional support to their wider families. It is crucial that the parenting strategy recognises and supports the roles that grandparents and other family members play in bringing up children.
The strategy will also include the vital role of kinship carers, adoptive and foster parents—whom it is particularly important to mention during fostering fortnight—and corporate parents, including all of us in the chamber, who have a duty of care and responsibility for our looked-after children. Whenever I refer to parents, I refer to all kinds of parents.
The early years framework that was published in 2008 highlighted the strong influence that parents have on their babies and very young children. The work of the chief medical officer, Sir Harry Burns, has taught us about attachment behaviour, the importance of consistent parenting to help children right from birth to make sense of the world, and the impact that environmental and biological influences have on the development of babies during pregnancy. However, parents often struggle with older children and teenagers—in fact, around a third of all calls to parentline Scotland are from parents of teenagers. For that reason, the parenting strategy will cover the widest possible age group, from pre-conception to adulthood. It will also consider how we can prepare our children and young people to be confident parents of the future.
The strategy must make a practical difference to parents, so it is important that it will have the views of parents at its heart. Over the past few months, we have gathered the views of more than 1,500 parents from throughout Scotland. I say a huge thank you to the many organisations that hosted discussion groups on our behalf. I also record my heartfelt thanks to the parents who took the time to tell us about their experiences. I have had the privilege of meeting some inspirational characters and brave families who have told me—through tears, smiles and laughter—what they believe we need to do. Their views will help to shape our approach.
We asked what would make a real practical difference to them as, for example, disabled parents, teenage parents, grandparents or parents who are affected by imprisonment, substance misuse, alcohol or domestic abuse. We also asked what the best things are about being a parent, because the strategy will also aim to celebrate parenting and to demonstrate the positive value that we must place on parents and carers for the role that they play in improving outcomes for children and young people.
I am delighted that our approach has won praise from Children 1st’s chief executive Anne Houston, who said:
“Children 1st welcomed the Scottish Government’s commitment to develop a national parenting strategy for all parents and carers. We welcome the Scottish Government’s approach to seeking views from such a wide range of people with a parenting role, many of whose voices are not normally heard.”
We will publish a report of parents’ views in June. I have met some of the groups of parents and seen some of the early feedback, so I know that it will be a thought-provoking report.
When we talk about parents, many of us tend to think about mums, so I want to talk about fathers. I am pleased to see a number of dads in the chamber and will be interested to hear what they say during the debate. In our consultations, we have had a lot of feedback from dads, who often tell us that they want to be more involved in their children’s lives but are sometimes made to feel unwelcome or excluded.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Tricia Marwick)
NPA
The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-02888, in the name of Aileen Campbell, on the national parenting strategy for Scotland.14:05
The Minister for Children and Young People (Aileen Campbell)
SNP
The Scottish Government’s aspiration is for Scotland to be the best place for children and young people to grow up in. We want all our children to have the b...
Mark McDonald (North East Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
Will the minister give way?
Aileen Campbell
SNP
I will give way to dad Mark McDonald.
Mark McDonald
SNP
Does the minister agree that an issue that affects fathers—albeit that it is outwith the Scottish Government’s remit—is the short time that they are given fo...
Aileen Campbell
SNP
Mark McDonald has made a valid point. The issue was the subject of discussion in the context of the Queen’s speech in the United Kingdom Parliament, and I lo...
Neil Bibby (West Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I do not think that any member would argue about the importance of parents in a child’s life. Parents and other guardians are often the biggest influence on ...
Aileen Campbell
SNP
I grant that a lot of the consultation work with parents who face particular challenges has been done, but my intention in having the debate was to give memb...
Neil Bibby
Lab
I will certainly give the minister some suggestions later in my speech.Better preparing and supporting parents in the responsibilities and opportunities that...
Sandra White (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP)
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The member is in his last minute.
Neil Bibby
Lab
If the Government continues to let down kinship carers, what hope do other parents have that the national parenting strategy will help them?If the Government...
Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
We Conservatives welcome the debate, and in so doing we recognise the importance of a permanent and loving family environment in which to bring up children. ...
John Mason (Glasgow Shettleston) (SNP)
SNP
A number of fathers have been in touch with me about that. Does Nanette Milne agree that the courts seem to start from the position that the mother should ha...
Nanette Milne
Con
Yes, I absolutely agree with John Mason. My family has experience of that situation, although we had a very positive outcome and my grandchildren have great ...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
We move to the open debate. I remind members that speeches should be up to four minutes long.14:28
Clare Adamson (Central Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
I am glad to speak in this important debate on a national parenting strategy for Scotland.I congratulate my colleague Jim Eadie on sponsoring yesterday eveni...
Anne McTaggart (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
I am always glad to have the opportunity to discuss how we can improve the lives of children and young people in Scotland, and today is no different. However...
John Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
Like in Glasgow.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Mr Wilson, will you please stop shouting across the chamber?
Anne McTaggart
Lab
The importance of the early years to a person’s development is now more apparent than ever. That should be reflected by action to improve children’s start in...
Sandra White
SNP
Will the member give way?
Anne McTaggart
Lab
My Labour colleagues in Glasgow—
Sandra White
SNP
Will the member give way?
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The member is not giving way.
Anne McTaggart
Lab
—will also extend the vulnerable twos programme, which offers support to vulnerable children across the city and will focus resources on parenting support fo...
Maureen Watt (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP)
SNP
I congratulate the minister on securing this debate on the national parenting strategy and the Government on taking the time to consult families from a wide ...
Siobhan McMahon (Central Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
Developing a national parenting strategy that is coherent and relevant to families across Scotland is a laudable aim, but the motion is an extended exercise ...
Kevin Stewart (Aberdeen Central) (SNP)
SNP
Will the member give way?
Siobhan McMahon
Lab
No, thanks. Despite the coalition Government’s sad, if predictable, dismantling of it, sure start remains a shining example of the early years provision to w...